Pilots' leaders warned today of cancelled flights this summer leading to airport chaos because of controversial plans to extend flying hours.

The British Airline Pilots Association, and 14 other organisations representing pilots across Europe, has warned that the likelihood of air crashes would increase six-fold if duty hours were lengthened.

They say pilots may not stick to the new limits if they believe they jeopardise passengers' lives - raising the prospect of grounded planes and passenger delays.

Under the plans, the EU is proposing to increase maximum flight duty hours for pilots from the current 12 to 14 at a stretch.